Director of Institute for Religious Freedom: Churches not banned in Ukraine
Executive Director of the Institute for Religious Freedom Maksym Vasin. Photo: irs.in.ua
On 29 January 2024, the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Institute for Religious Freedom (IRF), Maksym Vasin, speaking at a roundtable on international religious freedom in Washington, DC, said that information about the persecution of believers in Ukraine and attempts by the authorities to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not correspond to reality and is "Russian propaganda".
According to Vasin, "Russia is trying to hide its atrocities against Ukrainian religious communities" in the occupied territories, and "for this purpose, Russian propaganda spreads distorted information that Ukraine allegedly restricts religious freedom and bans Churches".
"This does not correspond to reality!” assured the IRS Director. “The Ukrainian authorities have not banned a single Church, and the bill on breaking ties with Russian religious centres has not been adopted yet. It is still being debated in the Ukrainian parliament by democratic procedures. Russia, on the other hand, is systematically using religion and the Orthodox Church in its war against Ukraine to justify its invasion."
Vasin accused those who report on religious persecution in Ukraine of intending to "deprive Ukraine of international support" and recommended "not to trust a single word of 'Russian propaganda'".
As reported, the UN is concerned about the persecution and intimidation of UOC believers.
Read also
In Kyiv, Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh damaged by shelling
In Kyiv’s Solomianskyi District, shelling shattered the windows of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh and several parish buildings. No casualties were reported.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.
Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling
Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.
Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral
The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.
4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra
The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.
OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna
In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.